Memorial Gymnasium (University of Idaho)

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox NRHP

| name = Memorial Gymnasium

| nrhp_type =

| image = UI-memorial-gym-moscow-id-us.png

| image_size = 220

| caption = Gym tower's west face in 2007

| location = 1001 University Ave.
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho, U.S.

| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|46.7265|N|117.014|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}}}

| locmapin =

| built = 1927–28

| architect = David C. Lange{{cite web|url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1928/45|publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook|title=University professors|year=1928|page=39}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1MpXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jfQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3548,1491052|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=(Washington)|title=Idaho Memorial Gym plans ready|date=July 9, 1926|page=1}}
T. Pritchard - ass't

| architecture = Tudor-Gothic
heavily buttressed

| added = {{start date|1977|10|10}}

| area = {{convert|0.3|acre}}

| refnum = 77000466{{NRISref|2009a}}

}}

{{Infobox venue

| stadium_name = Memorial Gymnasium

| nickname = "Mem Gym"

| image =

| fullname = War Memorial Gymnasium

| address = 1001 University Ave.

| location = University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho, U.S.

| coordinates =

| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=240|zoom=12|type=point}}

| pushpin_map = USA#Idaho

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States##Location in Idaho

| pushpin_mapsize = 240

| pushpin_label = Moscow

| pushpin_relief = yes

| elevation = {{convert|2600|ft|round=5}} AMSL

| broke_ground = 1927 (summer){{cite web|url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1929/13|publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook|title=Memorial Gymnasium|year=1929|page=9}}

| built = 1927–28

| opened = 1928 (November),
{{Years or months ago|1928}}

| renovated = 1954

| expanded = 1951–52

| closed =

| demolished =

| owner = University of Idaho

| operator = University of Idaho

| surface = hardwood

| construction_cost = $616,767 - (original)
(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|616767|1928}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}}{{inflation-fn|US}})

| architect = David C. Lange
Theodore Pritchard - ass't

| structural engineer = A.T. Schenck

| services engineer =

| general_contractor = Victor N. Jones & Assoc. - Boise

| project_manager =

| main_contractors =

| former_names =

| tenants = Idaho Vandals (NCAA) (1928–present)
men's basketball (1928–76, 2020–21)
women's basketball (1974–76, 2020–21)
women's volleyball

| seating_capacity = 2,500

}}

War Memorial Gymnasium is a 2,500-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in the northwest United States, on the campus of the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. Opened {{Years or months ago|1928}} in November 1928,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0M5XAAAAIBAJ&sjid=o_QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4319,533201|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|title=Memorial gym opening dated|date=June 2, 1928|page=3}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Lw1WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IOIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6335%2C647054 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Russell |first=Eugene H. |title=Washington State College overwhelms Idaho, 26 to 0, before homecoming crowd of 10,000 |date=November 4, 1928 |page=1, sports}} the venue honors state residents who gave their lives in the service of their country in World War I.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U8hXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=avQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6648,3075872|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=(Washington)|title=Idaho U plans memorial gym|date=August 20, 1923|page=8}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xMdXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W_QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6099%2C7476691 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |title=Idaho U honors its soldier dead |date=June 23, 1921 |page=6}}

The architectural style is Tudor-Gothic and is heavily buttressed; the chief architect was David C. Lange, the head of the university's architecture department. The west end addition was built from {{nowrap|1951–52,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZbxeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8zAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4980,3242219&|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho)|title=Memorial Gym addition gives Idaho expanded athletic plant |date=August 11, 1952 |page=9}}}} and the building was renovated {{nowrap|in 1954.{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.uidaho.edu/special-collections/uibldngs.html#M|publisher=University of Idaho Library|title=Special collections: UI buildings - M|access-date=November 24, 2012}}}} Ivy partially covers the brick and concrete exterior, which is decorated with crouching football player gargoyles and stained glass windows.[http://www.govandals.com//pdf4/413802.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=17100 Go Vandals.com] - UI athletic facilities - Memorial Gymnasium - accessed 2010-04-05 The elevation at street level is approximately {{convert|2600|ft|round=5}} above sea level.

Its predecessor was the original gymnasium (and armory), located directly east;{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1907/76 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |agency=(volume 4)|title=Armory and Gymnasium |date=May 1906 |pages=70–71}} constructed in 1904;{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem_1906/30 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |agency=(1906, volume 3)|title=Armory and Gymnasium |date=May 1905 |pages=26–27}} it has been reconfigured and continues on campus as the "Art and Architecture South" {{nowrap|building.{{cite web |url=https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/campus/locations/ArtandArchitectureSouth.html |publisher=University of Idaho Library |title=Art and Architecture South |agency=(Campus photograph collection)|access-date=February 17, 2018}}}} During its time as the varsity basketball venue, it was also a library, with bookshelves along {{nowrap|the walls.{{cite web|url=https://digital.lib.uidaho.edu/cdm/ref/collection/pg1/id/1441?_ga=2.223001308.693737008.1518793936-632479480.1517437024 |publisher=University of Idaho Library |title=Gymnasium |agency=(Campus photograph collection) |date=1907|access-date=February 17, 2018}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1963/02/18/605156/big-days-in-the-pea-capital |magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Brody |first=Tom C. |title=Big days in the pea capital |date=February 18, 1963 |pages=50–52}}}} After the Memorial Gym opened, it became the women's gym.

Memorial Gymnasium was the primary home of Vandal basketball until {{nowrap|January 1976,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_bBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4jIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5873%2C5364449 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |title=Dome opener |last=Emerson |first=Paul |date=January 21, 1976 |page=1B}}}} replaced by the newly-enclosed {{nowrap|Kibbie Dome;{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_LBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4jIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4290%2C5163165 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |title=Idaho cage great Gus Johnson returns to Palouse |last=Barrows |first=Bob |date=January 20, 1976 |page=1B}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_rBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4jIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4183%2C5586383 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |title=WSU also captures alumni game 74-63 |last=Spotleson |first=Bruce |date=January 22, 1976 |page=1B}}}} the Dome's basketball configuration was renamed "Cowan Spectrum" in early 2001. Future hall of famer Gus Johnson played for the Vandals during the 1962–63 season, and the "Mem Gym" was frequently sold out, with the attendance estimated {{nowrap|at 3,800.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rLBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-zIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5539%2C3567934|work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Carter |first=Jack |title=Hot-shooting Vandals whip Cougars 94–57 |date=December 21, 1962 |page=2}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VLpQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OOMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6518%2C1376664 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=AP, UPI reports |title=Idaho belts Oregon |date=February 9, 1963 |page=1B}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4MFeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4480%2C159490 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Carter |first=Jack |title=Vandals defeat Bulldogs despite Wilson's 37 points |date=March 2, 1963 |page=2}}}} {{nowrap|During the}} 1940s and early 1950s, Idaho had a nationally prominent boxing team; over five thousand attended a dual meet against Palouse neighbor Washington State {{nowrap|in 1950.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=urheAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kzAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4825%2C3214763|work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Vandal boxers batter Cougars to take fourth straight victory |date=February 12, 1950 |page=8}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=k58pAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l-UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6228,5071199|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=(Spokane, Washington)|title=Vandal boxers swamp Cougars|date=February 13, 1950|page=111}}}} It was dropped by the university as an intercollegiate sport in 1954,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sCZWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xuIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6909,635495|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard|location=(Oregon)|agency=Associated Press|title=Vandals drops ring program|date=June 9, 1954|page=8D}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UMdeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KjIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1087%2C3329025|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=(Idaho)|agency=Associated Press|title=Money reasons cause Idaho to drop boxing|date=June 9, 1954|page=9}} and discontinued by the NCAA after 1960.

The Memorial Gym is the current home court of Vandal women's volleyball, with a portable Taraflex court since 1999.{{cite web |url=http://www.donverlinhoopscamp.com/war-memorial-gymnasium.cfm |publisher=Don Verlin Basketball Camps |location=(Moscow, Idaho)|title=War Memorial Gymnasium |access-date=February 14, 2018}} {{nowrap|It occasionally}} hosts early season basketball games on the hardwood, depending upon the late season football schedule, and the facility is used extensively for physical education classes, intramurals, and open recreation. Commencement ceremonies for the university were traditionally held in the gym from 1929,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cOsUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KuIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4492,2174356|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=(Spokane, Washington)|title=University of Idaho ends notable year|date=June 12, 1929|page=4}} {{nowrap|through 1975.{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1968/264 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Graduation |date=1968 |page=260}}{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1975/240 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=1975 graduates mark last graduation in Memorial gymnasium |date=1975 |page=236}}}} The Kibbie Dome has hosted the primary ceremony for all graduates since {{nowrap|1976,{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1976/238 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=1976 graduates mark first graduation in ASUI Kibbie Dome |date=1976 |page=234}}}} and the {{nowrap|Mem Gym}} is one of several campus venues used for the subsequent individual college ceremonies for the awarding of diplomas.

While the 2020–21 school year was initially expected to be the last for Mem Gym as a varsity athletics venue, following the 2021 completion of the 4,200-seat Idaho Central Credit Union Arena (ICCU Arena),{{cite news|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/oct/04/significant-donations-help-university-of-idaho-mov/ |title=Significant donations help University of Idaho move ahead with its unique arena |first=Peter |last=Harriman |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, WA |date=October 4, 2018 |access-date=January 24, 2019}} that plan changed. ICCU Arena became the new home of Vandals men's and women's basketball, but volleyball remained in Mem Gym.

At just 49 years of age, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The narrow swimming pool in the basement of the Mem Gym was retired in 1970, when the new swim center opened. The Kibbie Dome lacked locker rooms for its first seven years, so the Vandals and visiting teams continued to dress in the Memorial Gym. The completion of the East End Addition in the fall of 1982 ended the long trek, frequently in rain or snow during basketball season.